Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family.
New International Version (NIV)
Never believe your own press clippings! The sin of pride is subtle. It can emerge right on the heels of humility. Just when we slam the door on self-congratulation, it comes in the back door. It turns out self-centered pride has a key to the house of our hearts.
So often in the scriptures, the heroes do not fall for the first temptation but for the second. Gideon did so much good for his people, delivering them from their enemies who had harshly oppressed them. They wanted to do something for him so they offered to make him their king. Gideon knew that Israel’s King was none other than the God of Angel-armies who had chosen Gideon as a nobody from a tiny family in a diminutive tribe. Whew! Crisis averted.
“I do have one request,” Gideon said as his heart strayed. A little gold would suffice to repay him for his magnificent victory. Each of them gladly complied. What was a little gold for a man humble enough to refuse to be king? He took their gold and made an idol which became a snare to him and the people of Israel.
Solomon wrote in Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else guard your heart for everything you do flows from it.” While you protect the front door of your heart against pride, be careful to watch the back door as well. We can never be too careful. The choices we make will affect ourselves and others for a long time.
Pray with me:
Father, do not let us be blindsided by sin. When we have won one victory, make us wary of the unexpected assault which might draw us away from you. Keep idols far from us today. Never let us think of ourselves as idols. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This year we focus our Every Day with Jesus readings on Jesus’ story. With references to Tallowood's Read Through the Bible in 2018 daily reading plan, let's focus our undivided attention on Jesus and follow where he lead. He will not fail. Neither will we! Joyfully, Duane
Copyright 2018. All Rights Reserved.
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